Notes
Notes
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Information
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for Parents / Carers
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P REPARED BY
T HE D EPARTMENT OF C LINICAL N UTRITION & D IETETICS
N ATIONAL M ATERNITY H OSPITAL
H OLLES S TREET , D UBLIN 2
J UNE 2012
NATIONAL MATERNITY HOSPITAL
What if my baby
seems constipated?
What if my baby seems
constipated?
This leaflet provides general information
only. If you have any concerns regarding
If your baby is drinking infant formula
If your baby is taking spoon feeds,
milk, check that it is prepared correctly
include appropriate dietary sources of
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
fibre and fluids
First put the correct amount of water into
Include fruit and vegetables daily. Don’t
the bottle.
forget prunes, pears and apples.
Add the correct number of level scoops of
Include peas, beans and lentils as part of
your baby contact your baby’s doctor or
formula powder to the water - Add 1 level
meals when your baby is established on
public health nurse (PHN).
scoop of formula milk powder to each 30ml
spoon feeds.
(1 fluid ounce) of water.
Constipation in babies
True constipation is rare. If your baby is
Level the scoop of powder using a flat edge
Introduce small amounts of whole-wheat
foods (such as whole-wheat breakfast
(e.g. the leveller in the pack or the back of a
cereal and bread) gradually from about 6
constipated the contents of his/her dirty
knife). Do not pack the powder into the
to 8 months of age, but note that high fibre
nappy will be hard.
scoop. Make sure that the powder does not
diets (including unprocessed bran and
stick to the scoop.
fibre enriched cereals) are not
It is normal for some babies to make
straining noises when they dirty their
nappy.
It is also normal for some babies to have a
dirty nappy every day, while for others it
Do not add anything extra to your baby’s
bottle, for example baby rice.
Ensure your baby is taking a sufficient
volume of milk feeds.
may be one every few days.
What the dirty nappy looks like can also
recommended for babies.
Modify the texture of foods to suit your
baby’s stage of development.
An adequate fluid intake is especially
important with fibre containing foods. Fluids
Try sorbitol
include milk feeds and additional drinks of
vary. Babies who are fed infant formula
Prunes, pears and apples contain the sugar
cooled boiled water if thirsty.
milk tend to have firm or formed stools.
sorbitol which may also help.
Breastfed babies tend to have softer,
If your baby is feeding formula milk, try
Only use laxatives and other medications
looser stools.
adding one teaspoon (5ml) of prune, pear or
if advised by your baby’s doctor.
Constipation is especially rare in exclu-
apple juice to one milk feed per day. If this is
sively breastfed babies. If your baby is
not effective you may need to increase the
If these suggestions are not effective, or
exclusively breastfed and seems
dose. Contact your baby’s doctor or PHN for
if you are concerned about your baby,
constipated, contact their doctor or PHN.
further advice.
contact your baby’s doctor or public
When introducing spoon feeds you may
notice a change to your baby’s bowel habit.
health nurse.